Matthews suffered a shoulder injury in a 31-13 loss at Tennessee and did not play in a loss to Arkansas last Saturday. Spurrier had thought Matthews, a 6-foot-4, 249-pound junior, would not be ready until the Gamecocks' season finale against Clemson on Nov. 28.

Matthews was running around at practice Monday and could see action against the Gators.

With Matthews out, South Carolina used a three-man defensive front instead of its usual 4-3 alignment. Tony Straughter opened at outside linebacker against the Razorbacks.

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for a free 30 day free trial of unlimited digital access.

More Videos

Moore not yet conceding in Alabama Senate race

Democrat Doug Jones won Alabama's special Senate election on Tuesday, beating back history, an embattled Republican opponent and President Donald Trump, who urgently endorsed GOP rebel Roy Moore despite a litany of sexual misconduct allegations. Moore, meanwhile, refused to concede and raised the possibility of a recount during a brief appearance at a sombre campaign party in Montgomery. "It's not over," Moore said. He added, "We know that God is still in control."